31 March is the anniversary of David Cameron’s speech announcing the Big Society and the launch of the Big Society Network. Since then there has been a huge amount of discussion, and a range of initiatives from government and others close to the ‘big society’ ideas. These include the launch of the community organisers’ programme, agreement on the Big Society Bank, the launch of Your Square Mile, and aspects of the Localism Bill.

31 March also marks the day when hundreds, possibly thousands, of local authority and voluntary sector workers lose their jobs as a result of the government’s spending cuts. What does this mean for the future of the communities that the big society is meant to empower?

The agenda

Part 1: Taking the pulse of big society - a panel of speakers with Q&A session

How is the big society shaping up? What could or should it be like? Will the government's ambitions be realised?